Michigan Store Boycotted for Gay Support

[donheld]

By Bryan Ochalla



A few statistics pulled from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index is all the evidence usually needed to prove being gay-friendly in 2006 is good for business.
That is, unless your business is in Mason, Michigan.

Teri Yale, owner of Davey’s Basement (www.daveysbasement.com), an alternative record shop located in downtown Mason, found that out the hard way after supporting the local high school’s gay-straight alliance.

After agreeing to sponsor a float the group entered into Mason High School’s homecoming parade in late September, Yale and her year-old business were hit with labels, accusations, police visits—and, of course, a boycott.

http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=74&id=11540

[noonwitch]

1. Teri Yale needs to contact either the Arcus foundation or the Triangle Foundation

Arcus is out of Kalamazoo, and Triangle is out of Ferndale.

[Mich Otter]

2. Freedom, American Style

So many people spout about how America is the symbol of freedom. Our military is bragged on for bringing freedom to other countries. Unfortunately, some people believe the freedom they have means they get to deny freedom to others to live their lives.
America's version of freedom has a long history of people being denied rights, and even of being killed, so some shit-for-brains can uphold their rights to to be bigots, racists or sexist. The history continues today and will be here long after you and I have become worm food.
This situation, with this one store, is just another example of why it is critical that we all speak out, often and loud, whenever we hear the ignorance of bigotry, racism, or sexist ideas being spread, even if the speaker is doing as a "joke".
Too many decent people will not speak out about these kinds of issues. The silence is helping the ignorance to stand in place of reason. Please find the courage and determination within yourself to be among the people who are speaking out when they see ignorance being spread.

[Jokinomx]

3. Freedom in America

I am a proud father of two daughters that were members of the Gay/Straight Alliance organization in our high school. Greeville has not had any problems with the group, nor has there been any protests from fundi-zealots. The only problem my youngest daughter has had is that whenever she wears her pink triangle shirt ... people just assume she is gay. She is not. Her current boyfriend's mother asked her last week when she wore her shirt over his home... "Are you bi-sexual?" Other than that the group has had a positive impact on the awareness of gay and straight issues.

:toast: to the Gay/Straight Alliance for attempting to educate our society for the better.

[noonwitch]

5. My sister works at a place that has programs for gays

So her kids, who are 6 and 4, have some understanding of the issue.

It's really good, because her girls are so accepting of people.

[Jokinomx]

6. That is wonderful....

My daughters were staunch defenders of those that weren't in the "in" crowd. They would stand up to bullies for their less self assured friends.

We once had a teacher tell us during conferences... "I don't believe either of your daughters will ever be abused."....kind of a strange report to hear from a teacher... but both daughters are very self confident and won't stand for insolence.

Anyway.. it starts when they are very young and as parents you make them the reason for your happiness. They won't disappoint you.

:toast:

[TheModernTerrorist]

4. if you go to the website

I'm the guy who won the car stereo... yeah, the one with the cat ears on.

The store is owned by friends of one of my old girlfriends (still friends with her though). It's really sad that somethign like this would happen 15 minutes away from me, but that's the sad state of affairs our country is in. Apparently it was lost on a lot of people in the community that Jesus actually taught "love" instead of "hate".

[sarcasmo]

7. I live in West Michigan, but will buy my tunes from Davey's.

What a joke Amerika has become.

[knitter4democracy]

8. I grew up in Mason. I am not suprised.

Sad, but not suprised.

[marmar]

9. Good grief...

Sometimes I check my calendar to see what CENTURY this is.